He Wāhi Kōrero INTRODUCTION

Ngāti Tama has a rich history; full of courageous leaders who charted courses to new lands, leading the people through the unknown, through unrest, through discord in the hope of building a better future. Early accounts speak of our Polynesian ancestors Tamaariki and Rakeiora of the Tokomaru waka, setting sail from central Polynesia to Aotearoa in the 11th Century. The people finally landed at Mohakatino and Tongaporutu in Northern Taranaki and established permanent kainga.

After significant civil unrest in the late 1700’s and early 1800’s, Ngāti Tama leaders of the time set a new course and led (alongside other Tainui and Taranaki groups) the migration of a section of Ngāti Tama south to the Kāpiti and Wellington areas under Te Kaeaea and Te Pūoho ki te Rangi. Settlements were established, and Ngāti Tama built themselves a thriving economy in that region. It was not long after this that Te Pūoho ki te Rangi led another group of Ngāti Tama across Te Moana-oRaukawakawa, and established further settlements across Te Tauihu.

With the arrival of Pākehā and the increasing demand for land in Te Tauihu, Ngāti Tama families suffered much adversity and hardship, resulting in the displacement of many from their whenua. Disconnection from the whenua caused catastrophic loss of cultural identity, language, economic base, and social cohesion. The whakapapa of setting new pathways, of challenging the status quo and of seeking wellbeing for our people did not stop with Te Pūoho ki Te Rangi and those leaders of the time.

In 2003, Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu leaders challenged the Crown through its Claim to the Waitangi Tribunal for these past injustices. In 2013, these wrongs were finally recognised with the signing of the Ngāti Tama Deed of Settlement. Ngāti Tama ki Te Tauihu Manawhenua Trust was formed to receive all Treaty of Waitangi settlement assets (new and existing) and represent the descendants of those who with Te Pūoho ki te Rangi had settled in Te Tauihu nearly two hundred years earlier.

Renamed Ngāti Tama ki Te Waipounamu Trust, leadership of the tribe followed the example of our predecessors and in 2020 the Trust released the Tama 2050 vision document – Tama Tū ki Te Tauihu, Tama Ora ki Te Ao. This is the navigational chart that once again seeks to set a new course for the iwi. Tama 2050 provides strategic direction and investment for the tribe and sets out key priorities for the future. It seeks to reinvigorate cultural pride, knowledge and understanding and includes te reo as a core pillar of the vision document. The Ngāti Tama language strategy serves to complement Tama 2050 in charting a new way forward to enrich the wellbeing of the iwi.

KO TE WAI TAI

KO TE WAI MĀORI

KA PIPĪ AKE TE WAI

KO HINE TŪĀHŌANGA

KA PUPŪ AKE TE WAI

KO TE WAIKOROPUPŪ

TE ŪKAIPŌ O HURIAWA TANIWHA

KA HEKE KAU TE WAI

KO TĀKAKA, KO TE WAITAPU O URUAO

KA RERE KAU TE WAI

KA PIRI ATU KI MŌHUA, KI A TANGAROA

HEI ORANGA MŌ TE KATOA

Tama Kōrero